4 takeaways from the Rams' division-clinching win over the Titans

The Los Angeles Rams took care of business on Sunday by beating the Titans on the road, thus clinching their first NFC West title since 2003. They’re leaving nothing to chance with the Seahawks playing Dallas, earning a home game in the first round of the playoffs.

Here are the four biggest takeaways from their victory.

The Rams have kicking mess on their hands

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Sam Ficken experiment didn’t work out for the Rams. He missed his first two attempts of the game, including a PAT and a 35-yard field goal. Sean McVay didn’t trust him enough to make a 49-yarder to open the game, instead opting for a fake punt, and perhaps we know why. Ficken may not be an NFL kicker.

McVay said last week that the kicking situation is week-to-week, meaning they’ll see how Ficken does in his first action before committing to him. After struggling mightily on Sunday, it’s unlikely he’ll be the guy moving forward.

With Greg Zuerlein out for the year, the Rams have to find a guy they can count on next week and beyond. Bringing in a veteran might be the best option.

Todd Gurley is getting better by the week

(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

It’s late-December, which means running backs should be wearing down. Gurley is not like other running backs, though. He seems to be getting better by the week, which is incredible at this point in the season. He racked up 276 yards against the Titans, topping his still-great performance last week against the Seahawks.

In his past four games, Gurley has 649 yards and eight touchdowns. Those are video game-type numbers, and it’s why he’s squarely in the running for MVP.

Jared Goff’s numbers were misleading

(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Although he threw for 301 yards and had four touchdowns, Goff wasn’t particularly sharp. He threw behind receivers far too often, lost a fumble and was unaware of pass rushers around him in the pocket.

Part of the reason his numbers look so good is that Gurley did most of the work. He caught 10 of Goff’s 22 completions and accounted for 158 of his 301 passing yards. Without that production from his running back, Goff’s numbers would look pedestrian at best against a team that was down two of its three cornerbacks.

He has to be better in big games like the one on Sunday.

Rams are here to stay in the NFC West

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For the first time since 2003, the Rams are division champions. That’s a huge accomplishment for Sean McVay in his first season as a head coach, but it also sends a message to the rest of the division: The Rams are here to stay.

They’ve established themselves as the premier team in the division not only this season, but for years to come. They’re built for the long haul given their youth and talent at every key position, and with McVay leading the way, the Rams could become perennial champions in the West the way the Seahawks were for years.

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